Tropical Outlook: Heat, Haze, and a Passing Tropical Wave in the Forecast for USVI, Puerto Rico

A passing tropical wave may bring a brief chance of showers and thunderstorms to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by midweek, though the wave is not expected to develop into a tropical system.

Heat, Saharan dust, and breezy conditions are expected to remain the main weather concerns.

Tropical Wave Could Bring Brief Showers

The National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, explained that a tropical wave could slightly increase moisture across the region around Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the possibility of showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Any precipitation across Puerto Rico and the USVI would help to alleviate dry conditions throughout both U.S. territories. However, the chance for rain is not guaranteed. The forecast does not currently point to a widespread rain event, as the bulk of moisture is forecast to remain south of the local islands. However, the NWS said the wave may still produce a few stronger showers where activity develops.

“A fast-moving tropical wave may bring a brief increase in showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday, with isolated lightning, locally heavy rainfall, and localized urban and small-stream flooding possible,” the NWS said on Monday. A chance of rain is also expected through Thursday morning.

“On Thursday, moisture associated with the northern periphery of a passing tropical wave will approach the region. Nonetheless, the bulk of the moisture from this wave is expected to remain well south of the area over the Caribbean Sea, keeping local impacts minimal,” the NWS stated.